I’ve been with my awesome husband for 7 years now, and what a ride that has been. I completed my Doctorate of Chiropractic in Saint Louis, MO and have been navigating being a full-time professional in a life full of uncertainty courtesy of the military ever since. I know that task is not unfamiliar to all of you. While in Saint Louis I worked in the chiropractic clinic at Scott Air Force Base under Dr. Charles Portwood, DC. From there we moved to Del Rio, TX where my husband became an Instructor Pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base. With limited job opportunities, I decided to open my own mobile chiropractic clinic and treat my patients in their own homes. I absolutely LOVE working with fellow military families and creating my own family within the Air Force community (shout out to my Del Rio fam – miss you all!). There were a few questions that I got often in regards to chiropractic care that I wanted to hit on for you.
Does TRICARE cover Chiropractic Care?
As of right now, the simple answer is no, it does not. For dependents, this is unfortunately true no matter what. We are working hard at this and there is talk of it being a covered service in the future, but that takes time. As for Active Duty members, if the chiropractor is a government contractor on base (like we were at Scott AFB) then they can be seen free of charge just as you would any practitioner at the Medical Group. That brings me to the next asked question.
Do Active Duty Members Need a Referral to See a Chiropractor?
If the chiropractor is a contractor on base, then yes, the Active Duty member needs a referral from their PCM to see the chiropractor. If you are seeing a private chiropractor (i.e. the one who has their own office in your town), then no, you do not need to go through your PCM to get treated. Keep in mind this is an out of pocket expense. This also means that you do not need to report back to your PCM after each adjustment as you would after getting treated by a doctor outside of the med group. That being said, if you are getting treated for an ailment that is keeping you from maintaining a safe workplace, you must report to your primary care manager.
Why Would I Need to See a Chiropractor?
Chiropractic care is fantastic for keeping you functioning at your optimum ability, as well as treating ailments such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This is done with treatment such as spinal manipulation, in home or supervised exercise, and in-office therapies which may include electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, cupping, and/or massage (to name a few). It has been my experience that patients who see their chiropractor for conservative management closer to their onset of pain have a shorter time to being symptom free than had they waited for months to years after the pain began. Often times people are put off by the common belief that once you see a chiropractor you have to go for the rest of your life. This simply is not true, though often times people can tell a difference in their day to day function if they receive some sort of maintenance care. Maintenance care looks different for everyone and may be anything from twice a month to once a year. This would be up to you and your chiropractor to decide. If you are not sure if chiropractic care is right for you, talk to your primary care manager.
Can I Get Adjusted While Pregnant?
While I’ve had a blast treating military members, prenatal care is my bread and butter. So to answer this question, yes, absolutely you can get adjusted while pregnant. I know firsthand the aches and pains that come along with pregnancy, as well as the lack of intervention available while pregnant. Too often I’ve had patients tell me that they have been told their pain was normal and they have to deal with it. Ladies, we go through enough, let’s not suffer through one of the most impressive, emotional, and life changing events we’ll ever experience. Pregnant women are treated with specific, gentle care geared toward their strong yet changing body. I always recommend seeing a Webster certified practitioner. The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that focuses on balancing the pelvic muscles and ligaments as well as correcting sacroiliac dysfunction during pregnancy. According to icpa4kids, “Sacral subluxation may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (i.e., dystocia), caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction, and baby mal-presentation. Correction of sacral subluxation may have a positive effect on all of these causes of dystocia.” Webster certified chiropractors are trained through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. To find a Webster certified chiropractor near you, visit https://icpa4kids.com/find-a-pediatric-chiropractor/
Check out these awesome military spouse chiros:
Nittany Valley Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Meet Caleigh
I’m from Chicago, a Purdue grad, and a die-hard Cubs fan. My husband and I have been together for 7 years and have split that time between Saint Louis, MO, and Del Rio, TX. I have a Doctorate in Chiropractic, but will be spending my next few years here at RAF Mildenhall in England staying home with my sweet babe, two pups, and exploring the world!
I love to travel, hike, and cook (you can follow along on my cooking adventures HERE) while enjoying (probably most of) a bottle of Cab. I absolutely love the WAF community and am always more than willing to share any tips, tricks, and experiences I’ve picked up along the way.
